Plug-In Coupling Bolt Structure for Pre-Fixation and Tolerance Alignment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plug-in couplings with double locking fail to compensate for length tolerances and do not allow pre-fixation of components, leading to potential misalignment and tension in components with multiple plug-in couplings.

Innovation Solution

A coupling bolt with a pre-fixation portion and a fastening portion, featuring cylindrical head portions and conically tapering transition portions, allowing for steady force reduction during insertion and enabling pre-fixation and fastening positions with improved alignment and pull-out force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing plug-in couplings with double locking are used, then locking reliability is improved, but length tolerance compensation and pre-fixation capability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidlength tolerance compensation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is segmented into distinct functional portions: a pre-fixation portion with a first cylindrical head portion and first locking portion, and a fastening portion with a second cylindrical head portion and second locking portion. This segmentation allows the coupling bolt to provide both pre-fixation for alignment and subsequent fastening for secure locking, while the receiving space accommodates both functions through corresponding structural features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-fixation portion with its cylindrical head portion and locking portion enables preliminary fixation of the coupling bolt in the receiving space before final fastening. This preliminary action allows components to be pre-aligned and positioned correctly, compensating for length tolerances, before the second locking portion engages to provide the final secure connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If existing plug-in couplings with double locking are used, then locking reliability is improved, but component alignment and pre-fixation are prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidcomponent alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-fixation portion with its cylindrical head portion and locking portion enables preliminary fixation of the coupling bolt in the receiving space before final fastening. This preliminary action allows components to be pre-aligned and positioned correctly, compensating for length tolerances, before the second locking portion engages to provide the final secure connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the shaft have different structural qualities optimized for specific functions: the pre-fixation portion has a cylindrical head portion with a locking portion optimized for alignment and preliminary fixation, while the fastening portion has a second cylindrical head portion with a second locking portion optimized for secure fastening. This local differentiation of structural qualities enables both alignment precision and locking reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single locking mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but locking force and alignment precision are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpull-out force

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is segmented into distinct functional portions: a pre-fixation portion with a first cylindrical head portion and first locking portion, and a fastening portion with a second cylindrical head portion and second locking portion. This segmentation allows the coupling bolt to provide both pre-fixation for alignment and subsequent fastening for secure locking, while the receiving space accommodates both functions through corresponding structural features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling bolt merges two locking functions into a single integrated component. The pre-fixation portion with its locking portion and the fastening portion with its second locking portion work together in sequence within the same coupling bolt, providing both alignment and secure locking without requiring separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12331774B2Coupling bolt of a plug-in coupling, first component with the coupling bolt, associated plug-in coupling and connecting structure of two components

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 BOLLHOFF VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH

AI summary

A coupling bolt includes a connecting portion with which the coupling bolt is fastenable to or in a first component, and a shaft extending from the connecting portion and defining a longitudinal axis of the coupling bolt. The shaft has a pre-fixation portion and a fastening portion, and along the longitudinal axis in the direction of the connecting portion the pre-fixation portion comprises a first head portion with a first diameter, a subsequent first, tapering transition portion and a first locking portion with a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter. Along the longitudinal axis in the direction of the connecting portion, the fastening portion includes a second transition portion adjacent to the first locking portion, a subsequent second head portion with a third diameter that is larger than the first diameter, a third tapering transition portion and a second locking portion.