Alignment Bushing Fastener for Thin-Wall Concentricity and NVH
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners face challenges in securely attaching thin-walled components to shanks due to shifting during assembly, which affects the concentricity and NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) performance.
Innovation Solution
A fastener design featuring a threaded shank with an unthreaded section and a flange, along with bushings having a tapered sidewall, which provides alignment and cushioning by compressing to center the component and reduce NVH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional fasteners are used to secure thin-walled components, then the fastening function is achieved, but the components shift during assembly affecting concentricity and NVH performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bushing as an intermediary component between the fastener and the thin-walled component. The bushing with its tapered sidewall serves as a mediator that guides the component during assembly, preventing shifting and ensuring proper concentricity without requiring complex assembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered sidewall of the bushing performs preliminary alignment action before the final fastening occurs. By providing a tapered guide surface in advance, the component is pre-positioned and centered during insertion, ensuring concentricity is established before the fastener is fully tightened
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bushings with tapered sidewalls are used to provide alignment and cushioning, then NVH performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing's tapered sidewall changes the geometric parameters of the assembly interface. The taper angle and dimensional parameters are optimized to provide both alignment functionality and cushioning effects, reducing NVH through controlled deformation while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing appears to be made from a composite or viscoelastic material that combines structural support with damping properties. This material selection allows the single component to simultaneously provide mechanical alignment and NVH reduction through energy absorption
3Manufacturing precision
If the bushing compresses to center the component, then alignment precision is improved, but the force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing transitions from a rigid alignment feature to a dynamic, compliant component during assembly. The tapered sidewall allows controlled compression and deformation that adapts to the component being assembled, providing self-centering action through elastic recovery rather than requiring excessive forcing
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
The fastener ensures precise alignment and concentricity of components, improves NVH performance, and facilitates easier assembly by using bushings that compress and guide components during tightening.
Implementation Method 1
A tapered inner surface of the bushing is disposed adjacent to the thin-walled component. The tapered inner surface of the bushing may be used to compress the thin-walled component during assembly to improve concentricity of the component on the shank.
Implementation Method 2
A fastener includes a shank having a threaded section with a first diameter and an unthreaded section with a second, smaller diameter. A bushing has a tip, a base, and a tapered sidewall extending from the base to the tip. The bushing defines a central hole received on the unthreaded section
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener includes a shank having a threaded section with a first diameter and an unthreaded section with a second, smaller diameter. A flange is attached to the unthreaded section of the shank. A bushing has a tip, a base, and a tapered sidewall extending from the base to the tip. The bushing defines a central hole received on the unthreaded section with the base adjacent to the flange.