Composite Housing Shaft Assembly Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling a composite housing with a rotatable shaft and mounted elements, such as in the automotive field, face inefficiencies due to pre-heating elements causing them to cool before assembly, leading to slowed processes and potential misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The method involves heating each element to a predetermined temperature just before its placement within the housing, ensuring the shaft can pass through easily and securing the elements in position upon cooling, with the use of an actuator and locating tools to manage the assembly process efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If elements are heated in advance of the assembly process, then the opening in each element expands to facilitate shaft passage, but the elements cool before assembly begins, hindering shaft passage and slowing the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by heating elements just before they are positioned on the shaft, rather than heating them far in advance. The method involves heating an element, quickly positioning it on the shaft while still hot, and repeating this process for multiple elements. This ensures the elements remain hot during positioning, maintaining expanded openings for easy shaft passage while minimizing cooling time and assembly duration.
2Productivity
If elements are heated in advance and positioned beforehand, then elements are ready for assembly, but they cool during the positioning and assembly process, causing misalignment and slowed assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining a continuous heating process throughout the assembly operation. Elements are heated continuously as they are positioned on the shaft, ensuring they remain at elevated temperature throughout the entire positioning and assembly process. This continuous thermal state prevents cooling-induced contraction and misalignment, while the streamlined process maintains high assembly speed.
3Ease of operation
If multiple elements are positioned in advance, then all elements are ready for shaft insertion, but the time required to position each element causes cooling and potential misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by heating each element immediately before it is positioned on the shaft, rather than heating all elements far in advance. This timing strategy ensures elements are hot when needed for easy positioning, while minimizing the time they spend cooling before assembly. The process repeats this preliminary heating and immediate positioning cycle for multiple elements, maintaining ease of operation while preserving temperature.
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
This approach facilitates the shaft's assembly by maintaining elements at a high temperature until placement, minimizing misalignment risks and speeding up the assembly process while ensuring a tight fit of elements on the shaft.
Implementation Method 1
the elements can be heated to a predetermined temperature prior to assembly. This causes the opening in each element to expand and thus facilitate the passage of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
Subsequent cooling causes the opening to contract and thus fix the mounted elements in position on the shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for assembling a composite housing fitted with a shaft (20) and associated mounted elements (22) comprises the steps of: arranging the housing (10) in a predetermined position with respect to an actuator (28), the housing having at least one opening (18) adapted to receive a shaft (20); arranging the shaft (20) in a predetermined position with respect to the housing (10) and the actuator (28); selecting an element (22) to be mounted on the shaft (20) within the housing (10), the element (22) having an opening adapted to receive the shaft (20); conveying the element (22) into a predetermined position within the housing (10), and pushing the shaft (20) by means of the actuator (28) so that it passes successively through the opening in the housing (10) and that in the element (22) to be mounted. According to the invention, the method further comprises the step of, subsequent to selecting the element (22) to be mounted on the shaft (20) within the housing (10), and prior to conveying the element into a predetermined position within the housing, holding it in a position adjacent a heat source (36) for a predetermined time. A device for assembling a composite housing is also described. The invention finds an application in the automotive field, the composite housing comprising a cylinder head cover of an automotive engine.