Ball-Locking Truss Coupling for Fast Quiet Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplings for truss constructions require a large number of components and tools for assembly, leading to noise and complexity, with small components like locking pins being easily lost during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system featuring a female coupling part with a tubular receiving part, movable balls, and a locking sleeve that can be screwed to lock the male coupling part in place, eliminating the need for small locking pins and allowing for quieter, faster assembly with fewer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking pins and cotter pins are used to fix coupling parts, then the coupling is secure, but the assembly requires many components and tools, increasing complexity and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single locking pin component. The locking pin integrates the locking function, the alignment function, and the fixation function that were previously distributed across multiple components (locking pin, cotter pin, etc.). This merging reduces the total number of components while maintaining coupling security.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple tasks: it locks the coupling parts together, provides alignment during assembly, and secures the connection without requiring additional components like cotter pins. This universality reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If locking pins are hammered into coupling parts for fixation, then the coupling is secured, but this causes noise nuisance in some situations
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling parts are designed with pre-aligned features and guide elements that ensure the locking pin can be inserted smoothly without requiring forceful hammering. The alignment holes and guide surfaces prepare the assembly in advance, allowing for gentle insertion that avoids noise while maintaining secure fixation.
3Reliability
If traditional coupling components are used, then secure fixation is achieved, but small components like locking pins are easily lost during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the alignment and locking functions into a single locking pin component, the patent eliminates the need for separate small alignment pins or cotter pins that are easily lost. The merged component is larger and more robust, making it easier to handle and less likely to be misplaced during assembly operations.
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 solution enables rapid assembly of truss constructions with reduced noise and fewer components, ensuring correct alignment and secure coupling without the need for hammers or small tools, while also allowing for potential rotation of the coupled parts.
Implementation Method 1
a locking sleeve which is screwed onto the receiving part and encloses the receiving part, wherein by being screwed the locking sleeve is movable relative to the receiving part in the longitudinal direction of the receiving part between an opened position... and a closed position in which the locking sleeve presses the at least one ball in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the receiving part for the purpose of locking the male coupling part in the female coupling part with the ball during use
Implementation Method 2
in the opened position, in which the locking sleeve allows a movement of the ball in the at least one through-opening in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the receiving part for the purpose of placing a male coupling part into the receiving part or removing it from the receiving part during use
Implementation Method 3
a locking sleeve which is screwed onto the receiving part and encloses the receiving part, wherein by being screwed the locking sleeve is movable relative to the receiving part in the longitudinal direction of the receiving part
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling for connecting construction parts, a truss provided therewith and associated method and use. The coupling comprises a female and a male coupling part. The female coupling part comprises:a tubular receiving part, in the wall of which an opening is provided;a ball which is placed in the opening and which is movable in radial direction of the receiving part; anda locking sleeve which is screwed onto and encloses the receiving part and which by being screwed is movable in the longitudinal direction of the receiving part between an opened position, in which the locking sleeve allows movement of the ball in the opening for the purpose of placing/removing the male coupling part into/from the receiving part, and a closed position in which the locking sleeve locks the male coupling part in the female coupling part with the ball,wherein the male coupling part is an elongate pin which comprises in its outer wall a groove for the ball.