Two-Piece Adjusting Nut Design for Manufacturing Complexity

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine elements with one-piece designs, such as threaded rings, face manufacturing complexities due to difficult-to-machine materials and require numerous components, leading to increased production costs and structural weaknesses.

Innovation Solution

A two-piece machine element design where only the ring components and clamping screws are required, eliminating the need for press fits and additional parts, allowing for modular selection of materials and dimensions, and enabling coatings for improved functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If one-piece threaded ring design is used, then manufacturing complexity increases due to difficult-to-machine materials, but structural strength is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded ring is divided into two separate components: a first ring component and a second ring component. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using suitable materials and processes, avoiding the manufacturing complexity of machining difficult-to-machine one-piece designs while maintaining structural integrity through the connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ring components are used, then manufacturing costs and device complexity increase, but material selection flexibility improves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial selection flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded ring is divided into two separate components: a first ring component and a second ring component. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using suitable materials and processes, avoiding the manufacturing complexity of machining difficult-to-machine one-piece designs while maintaining structural integrity through the connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If connecting bolts with press fits are used, then assembly complexity increases, but structural integrity is improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the first and second ring components is achieved by integrating the connecting bolts directly into the structure, eliminating the need for separate press fit assemblies. The bolts extend through both components and are secured with heads and nuts, creating a unified structure that maintains structural integrity while simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If numerous individual parts are used, then production costs increase, but functional requirements are better met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the first and second ring components is achieved by integrating the connecting bolts directly into the structure, eliminating the need for separate press fit assemblies. The bolts extend through both components and are secured with heads and nuts, creating a unified structure that maintains structural integrity while simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, enhances structural strength, and allows for flexible material selection and assembly, while maintaining secure clamping and positioning capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The clamping screws (18) clamp the two ring components (10, 12) against each other in an adjusted position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

At least one ring component (10, 12) can be moved in an axial direction on at least one further ring component (10, 12) by means of an adjusting device with several clamping screws (18)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3105461B1Machine element

Publication Date: 2019.05.15 SPIETH MASCHENELEMENTE

Figure 1~4

AI summary

A machine element, in particular in the form of an adjusting nut, having individual ring components (10, 12), which can be fixed to third components such as, for example, axles, hubs or shafts by means of internal and/or external threads, of which at least one ring component (10) can be moved as viewed in an axial direction on at least one further ring component (12), by means of an adjusting device with several clamping screws (18), in an advancing movement from an assembly position into a securing position and vice versa, wherein at least the two ring components (10, 12) are designed as independent components which delimit a separation space (22) with their adjacent mutually facing end-faces, which separation space opens on all sides to the surroundings, is characterized in that only the clamping screws (18) of the adjusting device pass through the separation space (22) and in that all possible adjusting positions of both ring bodies (10, 12) with respect to each other are brought about between the assembly and the securing position by means of these clamping screws (18).