Ball-Joint Fixation Assembly for Flexible Groove Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixation systems for connecting components with fixing grooves are not functionally reliable, require many parts, and are costly and labor-intensive to assemble, limiting their flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fixation system comprising a ball-head screw with a thread and ball head, a slot nut, and a fixation part with a ball-head seat and planar support surfaces, allowing for flexible orientation and assembly with a reduced number of parts, featuring a ball joint with recessed portions for increased inclination angles and snap-lock connections for ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional fixation system with multiple parts is used to connect components, then the connection can be achieved, but the number of parts increases and assembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the ball joint mechanism and fixation support into a single integrated fixation part. The fixation part includes a ball-head seat that receives the ball head, forming a ball joint, and a planar fixation support surface for fixing to the second component. This merging eliminates the need for separate fixation plates or additional supporting components, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining functional reliability.
2Reliability
If a traditional fixation system is used to connect components, then the connection can be established, but the assembly effort and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint and fixation support are merged into one fixation part, reducing assembly steps. The fixation part can be directly fixed to the second component using the planar fixation support surface, and the ball-head screw with ball head can be directly inserted into the ball-head seat, eliminating the need to assemble multiple separate fixation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball joint provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the ball-head screw to be inserted at various angles and positions. The ball head can rotate freely within the ball-head seat, enabling flexible alignment during assembly without requiring precise pre-positioning, which simplifies the assembly process and reduces labor effort.
3Reliability
If a fixation system with limited ball joint pivotability is used, then bending moments can be balanced, but positional flexibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint design allows the ball head to pivot freely within the ball-head seat in multiple directions. This dynamic pivotability enables the fixation system to accommodate various positional requirements and orientations while still maintaining the ability to balance bending moments through controlled positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle between the longitudinal axis of the ball-head screw in the central position and the longitudinal axis when received in the recessed portion is at least 90°, providing a wide range of motion. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to different mounting configurations and orientations while maintaining structural integrity and bending moment balance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If more recessed portions are added to the ball-head seat, then inclination angle flexibility increases, but the complexity of the ball-head seat increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball-head seat is segmented into multiple recessed portions, each providing a specific receiving position for the ball-head screw. This segmentation allows the screw to be positioned at different inclination angles (at least 90° between central position and recessed portion positions) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. Each recessed portion is a discrete feature that adds flexibility without significantly increasing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A first component with a fixing groove is affixed to a second component, using a ball-head screw having a thread and a ball head, a slot nut for the thread fitting into the fixing groove of the first component, and a fixation part having a ball head seat and a planar fixation support surface for fixing the fixation part to the second component. The ball head seat receives the ball head, forming a ball joint. In a central position, the fixation support surface is parallel and offset to a longitudinal axis of the ball-head screw. The ball-head seat includes recessed portions receiving a screw portion of the ball-head screw. An inclination angle between the longitudinal axis of the ball-head screw in the central position, and the longitudinal axis of the ball-head screw in the position when received in the recessed portion, is at least 90°.