Caged Floating Bushing Assembly With Angular Stop Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bushing assemblies do not optimize the anti-unscrewing resistant torque while maintaining ease of mounting, as the resistant torque is limited by the surface area of the flange in contact with the shoulder, and the dimensions of the flange are fixed by the seat dimensions, making it difficult to enhance the anti-unscrewing performance without compromising mounting ease.
Innovation Solution
A bushing assembly with a bushing element that is floating around a cage element, featuring a circular surface and an appendage element that engages an opening with angular clearance, allowing the bushing element to rotate and lock into position, maximizing the contact area and torque resistance, while maintaining ease of mounting and allowing for replacement of the bushing element without removing the cage element from the shoulder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the flange surface area is increased to maximize anti-unscrewing resistant torque, then the resistant torque is improved, but the dimensions are constrained by the fixed seat dimensions, making it difficult to enhance performance
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing element is segmented into a cylindrical body portion and a separate circular flange portion. The flange is designed as a distinct component that can be optimally sized for torque resistance without being constrained by the seat dimensions, as it extends beyond the cage element's outer peripheral surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional contact surface problem to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. The circular flange extends radially beyond the cage element's outer peripheral surface, utilizing the vertical/dimensional space rather than being limited to the horizontal seat footprint, thereby maximizing contact area without increasing seat dimensions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bushing element is fixed to prevent rotation during screwing, then mounting stability is improved, but the complexity of the structure increases due to additional retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing element is designed to be self-retaining during the screwing operation. The circular flange's interaction with the cage element's opening automatically limits rotation to the angular clearance without requiring additional retention mechanisms, operators, or machinery to hold the bushing element still.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic controlled movement. The bushing element is permitted to rotate within the angular clearance defined by the appendage element and opening, allowing it to naturally align and lock into position during the screwing operation, thereby achieving stability through controlled dynamics rather than rigid fixation.
3Device complexity
If the bushing element is integrated with the cage element, then structural simplicity is improved, but the ease of replacement is worsened as the cage element must be removed from the shoulder to replace the bushing
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing element is segmented as a separate, removable component from the cage element. This segmentation allows the bushing to be independently replaced by simply withdrawing it from the cage element's opening, without requiring removal of the cage element from the shoulder, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while enabling easy maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing element is nested within the cage element's opening, with the circular flange positioned to engage the opening's inner peripheral surface. This nesting arrangement allows the smaller bushing component to be easily inserted and removed from the larger cage element, facilitating quick replacement while maintaining a compact integrated appearance.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A bushing assembly (1) comprises a bushing element (2) having a first surface (2a), which is adapted to come into contact with a shoulder (S), and a threaded hole (3), which defines and axis (A) and is adapted to be engaged by a screw (20); and a cage element (4), which is fitted around the bushing element (2) so that the bushing element (2) is supported and is floating; the cage element is adapted to be fixed to the shoulder (S) and is provided with at least one opening (5); the opening (5) defines an end abutment (5a) of the cage element (4); the bushing element (2) comprises at least one stop portion (6), which engages the opening (5) with an angular clearance and is movable around the axis (A) at least between a first angular position (I), in which the stop portion (6) is spaced apart from the abutment (5a), and a second angular position (II), in which the stop portion (6) is in contact with the abutment (5a) so as to prevent the bushing element (2) from rotating past the second angular position (II); the stop portion is defined by an appendage element (6), which is distinct from the surface (2a) .