Definitive Connection Assembly Without Temporary Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing assembly methods for parts connected by definitive connections are time-consuming and costly due to the need for temporary connections and re-machining of pre-holes, which increases the overall assembly time and expense.
Innovation Solution
A method that eliminates the use of temporary connections and re-machining by employing secondary definitive connections to hold parts in place during assembly, allowing for the simultaneous drilling and placement of main definitive connections, thereby reducing assembly time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If temporary connections are used to hold parts in place during assembly, then parts remain aligned and pressed together, but assembly time increases due to installation and removal of temporary connections
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the alignment function from temporary connections and transfers it to the main definitive connections themselves. The main definitive connections are designed to perform both the alignment function (traditionally done by temporary connections) and the final joining function, eliminating the need for separate temporary connection elements and their subsequent removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the alignment function and the final joining function into a single operation. The main definitive connections simultaneously serve as both alignment references and final joining elements, combining what were previously separate functions (temporary connections for alignment + main connections for joining) into one integrated process.
2Ease of manufacture
If pre-holes are drilled independently before assembly, then parts can be prepared separately, but re-machining is required to achieve final diameter, increasing time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary drilling of holes in parts before assembly with relaxed tolerances, then uses the main definitive connections themselves to establish the final precise positioning and diameter during the assembly operation. This preliminary action allows parts to be prepared separately while avoiding time-consuming re-machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the tolerance parameters for hole diameter and position during the drilling phase, allowing larger tolerances during preliminary drilling. The final precise parameters are established during assembly when the main definitive connections are installed, eliminating the need for tight-tolerance re-machining.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple drilling and placement steps are performed successively for each definitive connection, then precise alignment is achieved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple successive drilling and placement operations into a single integrated assembly operation. All main definitive connections are positioned and installed simultaneously or in parallel during one assembly step, eliminating the need for repeated drilling and placement cycles while maintaining precise coaxiality through the self-aligning nature of the connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention establishes continuous useful action by having all main definitive connections work together simultaneously to define the assembly geometry. Once the first connection establishes the reference, subsequent connections are continuously positioned relative to it without interruption, maintaining continuous alignment throughout the assembly process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling at least two parts, connected by main and secondary definitive connections arranged in predetermined positions, includes: secondary definitive connections each housed in secondary definitive holes passing through the parts to be assembled, made independently of one another before the parts are assembled, main definitive connections each housed in main definitive holes passing through the parts to be assembled, made during the same operation while the parts are held in place by the secondary definitive connections.