Beam Splice Connector With Eccentric Ring for Play-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting devices for securing two beams together, such as in tower cranes or wind turbine towers, face challenges in quickly and securely attaching multiple segments without play, which can lead to instability due to the need for precise fitting of pins into bores, often requiring tools like sledges or hammers, posing safety risks and increasing assembly time.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device featuring a pin, shaft, and splice element with an eccentric ring that allows the shaft to rotate, closing a gap between the pin and splice element, enabling easy insertion of the pin without tools and providing pretension to prevent play, using a design where the eccentric ring's offset center allows movement of the splice element to secure the connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the pin is tightly fitted in the bore to avoid play between beams, then the connection stability is improved, but the insertion difficulty increases and requires tools like sledges or hammers
Solution Approach 1:
The connection process is divided into two independent stages: first inserting the pin with a gap (easy insertion), then closing the gap separately by rotating the shaft (achieving tight fit). This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently - insertion ease and connection stability are achieved at different times rather than requiring both simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The pin is preliminarily inserted into the bore with a gap before the final tightening action. This preliminary insertion with clearance allows easy installation without tools, and the gap closing is performed as a separate subsequent action by rotating the shaft, eliminating the need for forceful insertion
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bore diameter is close to the pin diameter to avoid play, then the connection stability is improved, but the insertion time increases and poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion and tightening operations are segmented into separate actions - the pin is first inserted with a gap (quick insertion), then the gap is closed by rotating the shaft (separate tightening action). This eliminates the time-consuming and dangerous forceful insertion process while maintaining connection stability
Solution Approach 2:
The gap between the pin and bore acts as an intermediary element that allows easy insertion. This gap is then eliminated through the shaft rotation mechanism, which moves the splice element to close the gap. The intermediary gap enables quick installation without compromising final connection stability
3Length of moving object
If multiple tower segments are assembled to build a high tower, then the tower height is increased, but the accumulation of play between segments causes tower instability and wobbling
Solution Approach 1:
The gap closing action is performed as a preliminary step before the tower segment is fully loaded. By rotating the shaft to close the gap between pin and bore during assembly, the connection is pre-tightened to eliminate play before the segment bears full operational loads, preventing instability accumulation in high towers
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft rotation mechanism provides feedback control for gap closing. As the shaft rotates, it moves the splice element to close the gap, and the operator can feel or observe when the gap is closed (when the splice element contacts the pin), ensuring consistent tight connections across multiple tower segments without accumulation of play
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 rapid and secure connection of two beams, reducing assembly time to about 30 seconds per connection, eliminating the need for tools, and ensuring stability against torque and uneven pressures, while maintaining high strength to withstand loads.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting device comprises an eccentric ring arranged in the first through hole so that the eccentric ring is rotatable with respect to the first through hole. The eccentric ring has an opening for receiving the shaft, and the opening in the eccentric ring is designed so that the eccentric ring is rotated upon rotation of the shaft when the shaft is inserted into the opening, and the centre of the eccentric ring is offset from the rotational axis of the shaft so that the splice element is moved with respect to the pin upon rotation of the shaft
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connecting device (1) for securing two beams to each other end to end. The connecting device comprises a pin (2), a shaft (4), and at least one a splice element (6) provided with a first through hole (8) for receiving the shaft (4), and a second through hole (10) spaced apart from the first through hole (8) for receiving the pin (2). There is a gap between the pin (2) and the splice element (6) when the pin is inserted in the second through hole (10). The shaft (4) is rotatable with respect to splice element (6) about a rotational axis (A) when the shaft is inserted in the first through hole (8). The connecting device comprises an eccentric ring (16) arranged in the first through hole (8) so that the eccentric ring (16) is rotatable with respect to the first through hole (8). The eccentric ring (16) has an opening (18) for receiving the shaft (4), and the eccentric ring (16) is rotatable upon rotation of the shaft (4) when the shaft is inserted into the opening. The centre of the eccentric ring is offset from the rotational axis (A) of the shaft so that the splice element (6) is moved with respect to the pin (2) upon rotation of the shaft (4) and by that closes the gap on one side of the pin.