Clamping Bushing with Longitudinal Formations for Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical apparatuses face issues with slippage and scoring when transmitting torque due to inadequate surface area contact between shafts and clamping bushings, as prior art designs often result in limited areas of contact and poor clamping force distribution.
Innovation Solution
A bushing with a longitudinally extending cylindrical body and strategically placed formations that deform preferentially along these formations, allowing for increased contact points and improved clamping force through the use of set screws, creating multiple regions of contact and enhanced frictional resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If set screws impinge directly on the shaft through the apparatus, then the structure is simple, but slippage and scoring occur due to small surface area contact
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing is segmented by introducing a longitudinal slit and longitudinal formations, dividing the clamping surface into multiple distinct contact regions. This segmentation allows the bushing to deform preferentially along the formations, creating multiple discrete contact zones with the shaft, thereby increasing the effective surface area for torque transmission and preventing slippage.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing features longitudinal formations at specific radial positions that create localized areas of preferential deformation. These formations concentrate the clamping force at specific locations along the shaft contact surface, ensuring optimal contact pressure distribution and enhancing frictional resistance at critical points while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Force
If clamping force is applied on the outside of a cylindrical bushing, then the bushing collapses onto the shaft, but contact exists only in limited areas due to size and shape mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing transitions from a rigid cylindrical structure to a dynamically deformable component through the introduction of longitudinal formations. When clamping force is applied, the bushing dynamically adjusts its shape by preferentially deforming along the formations, adapting to the shaft's surface contours and maximizing contact area despite initial size and shape mismatches between the bushing and shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal formations add a dimensional feature to the bushing's inner surface, creating a three-dimensional contact profile rather than a simple cylindrical interface. This dimensional enhancement allows the bushing to engage the shaft at multiple longitudinal positions simultaneously, effectively increasing the contact area from a limited region to multiple distributed zones along the shaft length.
3Reliability
If the bushing is forced to collapse onto the shaft, then clamping is achieved, but only two lines of contact extend axially due to the cylindrical bore geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal formations segment the bushing's contact surface into multiple distinct zones, transforming the contact geometry from two simple lines to multiple distributed regions. Each formation creates a preferential deformation zone that generates additional contact lines, effectively multiplying the contact points and enhancing clamping reliability through increased frictional engagement areas.
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 provides improved torque transmission capabilities and reduced slippage by ensuring a minimum of three regions of contact between the bushing and shaft, enhancing the overall clamping effectiveness and structural strength.
Implementation Method 1
The longitudinally extending cylindrical body can be configured so that the longitudinally extending cylindrical body preferentially deforms along the one or more longitudinally extending formations
Implementation Method 2
creating multiple regions of contact and enhanced frictional resistance
Data Source
AI summary
There is set forth herein a bushing comprising a longitudinally extending cylindrical body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the longitudinally extending cylindrical body further having a longitudinally extending slit. In one embodiment the bushing can comprise a longitudinally extending formation formed on the longitudinally extending cylindrical body. The longitudinally extending formation can be located at a radially position of the cylindrical body spaced apart from a radial position of the longitudinally extending slit. The longitudinally extending cylindrical body can be configured so that the longitudinally extending cylindrical body preferentially deforms along the longitudinally extending formation.