Coupling Assembly Retaining Clip Sliding Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling assemblies for transmitting rotational movement, such as Oldham couplings, face challenges with axial and parallel misalignments, leading to increased manufacturing costs and time due to slippage issues during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A coupling assembly with retaining means, including clip fastening mechanisms and projections, that securely hold the sliding member in place, allowing for axial and radial retention, preventing slippage and simplifying the assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If retaining means are added to prevent sliding member slippage, then assembly reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining means is divided into multiple independent clips (first clip, second clip, third clip, fourth clip) that can be separately positioned around the sliding member. Each clip independently provides retention in specific directions, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive radial and axial retention through modular segmentation rather than a single complex retaining structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clips are pre-positioned on the input disc before the sliding member is assembled. The first and second clips are already in place to provide radial retention, while the third and fourth clips are positioned to provide axial retention. This preliminary positioning ensures that the sliding member is immediately retained in all directions upon assembly, preventing slippage during the assembly process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple clips are used to retain sliding member in multiple directions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

All four clips share the same basic structure and function as retention elements. They are uniformly designed to engage with the sliding member and provide radial or axial retention depending on their position. This universality allows for standardized manufacturing processes and reduces the need for specialized components, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs while maintaining high assembly precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The clips are positioned at different locations and orientations around the sliding member to change the retention parameters in specific directions. The first and second clips are positioned to provide radial retention, while the third and fourth clips are positioned to provide axial retention. This parameter-based positioning allows precise control over retention characteristics without requiring complex or expensive specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3411603B1Coupling assembly with a clipped sliding member
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 U SHIN DEUTSCHLAND ZUGANGSSYSTEME GMBH
  • EP3411603B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3411603B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3411603B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a coupling assembly, comprising - a first coupling member (1) having a first coupling means, - a second coupling member) having a second coupling means, - a sliding member (3) comprising - a first cooperating means cooperating translationally with the first coupling means about a first direction, - a second cooperating means cooperating translationally with the second coupling means about a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first coupling member (1) and/or the sliding member (3) comprises retaining means (4) retaining axially and/or radially the slider (3) on the first coupling member (1), such that the first cooperating means cooperates with the first coupling means. The invention further relates to corresponding transmission assembly, motor vehicle and assembling method.