Asymmetric Tubular Coupling for Misaligned Axis Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplings for interconnecting tubular sections require precise alignment of male and female parts, making them difficult to connect and disconnect, especially when axes of rotation are misaligned.
Innovation Solution
The coupling design features a tap with a distal end that is longer on one side of its axis of rotation, allowing insertion into a circular cylindrical hole without strict alignment, and includes a projection and flange system that can slide into engagement, enabling easy assembly and disassembly, with optional end stops for torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the male and female parts require strict alignment of axes of rotation for engagement, then the connection strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the distal end of the tap longer on one side of the second axis of rotation than on the opposite side. This asymmetric design allows the male and female parts to engage without requiring strict alignment of their axes of rotation, thereby maintaining connection reliability while significantly improving ease of operation. The asymmetric tap geometry creates a self-aligning mechanism that guides proper engagement even when axes are misaligned.
2Manufacturing precision
If the distal end of the tap is made symmetric about the axis of rotation, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates when axes of rotation are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry in the tap design to resolve this contradiction. The distal end of the tap is made longer on one side of the second axis of rotation, which reduces manufacturing precision requirements for symmetry but dramatically increases adaptability to axis misalignment. This asymmetric configuration allows the coupling to function effectively even when the first and second axes of rotation do not coincide.
3Strength
If the flange extends completely around the circular cylindrical proximal end of the tap, then the torque transmission capability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing the flange to extend only partially around the circular cylindrical proximal end of the tap rather than completely around it. This partial extension provides sufficient torque transmission capability for the intended application while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process. The flange extends enough to engage with the groove and transmit torque, but does not require the complexity of a complete 360-degree flange structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~8
AI summary
A coupling for interconnecting two items (3, 15), the coupling comprising a female part attached to one of the two items 3, and a male part attached to the other of the two items (15). The female part comprises a projection (11) extending only on one side of a plane parallel to the first axis of rotation (6) and away from the end of the circular cylindrical hole (5) and forming a segment of a circular cylindrical inner surface (13), and the tap of the male part further comprises a circular cylindrical proximal end (14) extending between the distal end (8) and the other of the two items (15). A groove (16) is arranged in one, and a corresponding flange (17) is arranged on the other one of the circular cylindrical inner surface (13) and the circular cylindrical proximal end (14), and the flange (17) and the groove (16) are adapted such that the flange (17) can slide in the groove 16 about the first axis of rotation (6), when the tap is rotated in the circular cylindrical hole (5). The distal end of the tap, in the direction along the second axis of rotation, is longer on one side of the second axis (10) of rotation than on the opposite side.