Asymmetric Flexible Pin for Precise Play-Free Part Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pins used for assembling parts face challenges such as friction-induced deformation, damage, and imprecise positioning due to tight fits, leading to inconsistent assembly precision and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A pin design with a cut-out configuration at one end, featuring an asymmetrical projection and a flexible part, allowing precise engagement and disengagement without mechanical play, ensuring repeatable and damage-free assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pin is made with a tight fit to limit mechanical play and guarantee accurate positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but friction increases causing damage to the pin and/or parts
Solution Approach 1:
The pin transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible structure, changing its physical state from rigid to elastic. This allows the pin to deform elastically during insertion to overcome friction and tight fits, then return to its original shape to maintain precise positioning without causing damage.
2Ease of operation
If the pin is made axially split to be radially resilient and facilitate engagement, then ease of operation is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates due to undetermined deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The cut-out section is positioned asymmetrically (not at the center of the pin) to create a specific deformation pattern. This asymmetric configuration ensures that the flexible part deforms in a controlled manner during insertion, always filling the play in the same direction, thereby maintaining consistent positioning precision across multiple assembly operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If the pin is made rigid to ensure precise positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The pin transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible structure, changing its physical state from rigid to elastic. This allows the pin to deform elastically during insertion to overcome friction and tight fits, then return to its original shape to maintain precise positioning without causing damage.
4Productivity
If multiple positioning operations are carried out, then productivity is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates due to cumulative friction effects
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pin has the ability to self-adjust and self-center during each insertion operation. The elastic deformation and recovery automatically compensate for variations in assembly tolerances and friction effects, ensuring consistent positioning precision across multiple operations without requiring additional adjustment steps.
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
Ensures precise, repeatable, and damage-free assembly of parts by distributing stress and maintaining consistent positioning through resilient clamping forces.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible part is forced to deform so as to generate a resilient return force which causes the second end to be clamped to the second part
Data Source
AI summary
A pin (10) extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end (100) intended to be rigidly connected to a first part (30) and a second end (200) intended to be engaged in a recess (21) in a second part (20), with a fit without mechanical play, the second end (200) having a cut-out (210) delimiting an unmoving part (220) and a flexible part (230) and passing through, from end to end, the second end (200) transversely to the longitudinal axis, the cut-out (210) being configured so as to have, in a plane P containing the longitudinal axis, a projection whose general shape is asymmetrical.