Anchor Chain Coupling Piece With Retractable Bolts for Easy Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling stone elements for capsizing shackles are difficult to insert and remove easily, often requiring destructive methods and leaving residues, especially in corrosive environments like saltwater, which complicates reuse and maintenance, particularly for anchor chains.
Innovation Solution
A coupling stone element with hemispherically or conically rounded safety bolts that can be completely withdrawn into the base body, featuring a central expanding element to secure engagement with the half-elements, allowing for easy disassembly and preventing rotation, thus reducing the risk of corrosion-related issues and residue formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional securing pin with lead plug is used to secure the coupling stone element, then the coupling stone element is securely fixed between half-elements, but the assembly requires destructive removal methods (hammering) and cannot be easily disassembled underwater
Solution Approach 1:
The securing pin is designed with a conical end portion that can be pushed into a conical recess in the coupling stone element. This dynamic design allows the pin to be easily inserted and secured, and also allows for easy removal by pushing the pin back out, enabling non-destructive disassembly even underwater without requiring hammering or cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical recess in the coupling stone element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the securing pin and the half-elements. The conical geometry provides a self-centering and self-locking effect during insertion, while also facilitating easy removal by allowing the pin to be pushed back out without damage to any components.
2Reliability
If a clamping element with safety bolts and central tensioning element is used, then the half-elements are securely connected, but the clamping element cannot be dismantled if safety bolts get stuck due to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The securing pin with conical end portion and conical recess design allows for dynamic insertion and removal. The conical geometry provides a self-centering effect during assembly while allowing easy extraction by pushing the pin back out, preventing the corrosion-related sticking issues that plague threaded or interference-fit connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing pin is designed to be completely extractable from the coupling stone element and half-elements. The conical recess allows the pin to be fully removed without leaving residues or requiring destruction of any components, enabling easy repair and reuse of the capsizing shackle even after corrosion exposure.
3Reliability
If the securing pin bore extends to outer zones next to the toothing receptacle, then the coupling stone element can be securely attached, but the bores create weakening points in the half-elements under tensile stress
Solution Approach 1:
The conical recess is positioned and shaped to provide secure attachment of the securing pin while minimizing the volume of material removed from the coupling stone element. The conical geometry concentrates the attachment function in a localized area, preserving the overall strength and structural integrity of the half-elements under tensile loading.
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
Facilitates easy insertion and removal of the coupling stone element, even in corrosive conditions, ensuring the capsizing shackle remains reusable and minimizes damage to the half-elements, while preventing twisting and stress concentration under load.
Implementation Method 1
Both safety bolts can be completely lowered into the base body and when pushed out only protrude with their end over the side surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling piece element (20) for a joining shackle for anchor chains, which joining shackle comprises two half-elements, which can be coupled to each other and between which the coupling piece element (20) can be inserted. The coupling piece element (20) has a base element (26) having at least one cross bore (26.1). Furthermore, to two retaining bolts (22) are provided, which are mounted in at least one cross bore (26.1) in the base element (26) and can be pushed outward by means of at least one spreader element (21). The ends (22.2) of the retaining bolts (22) protruding laterally outward are designed to be crowned or tapered. The base element (26) has, on the lateral surfaces facing the half-elements (10), protrusions and/or setbacks (23) for interlocking guidance on the half-elements (10).