Drive Adapter for Hydraulic Bolt Tensioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamping devices for threaded bolts are time-consuming due to the need for manual operation with open-end or ring spanners, which can damage measuring sticks and limit productivity in repetitive clamping processes.

Innovation Solution

A drive adapter with a hat-shaped section for rotary coupling and a slimmer drive section for motor-driven screwing, allowing the use of electric screwdrivers while maintaining visibility of thread engagement markings through viewing openings, reducing non-productive times and preventing damage to measuring pins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an open-end or ring spanner is used to screw the interchangeable bushing onto the threaded bolt, then the bushing can be securely attached, but the non-productive time increases and the measuring stick may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of bushingVSAvoidnon-productive time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual spanner-based mechanical fastening with a motor-driven fastening system. The drive adapter interfaces with the interchangeable bushing's external polygon and connects to an electric screwdriver, enabling automated screwing operations that reduce non-productive time while eliminating the need for manual spanner operations that could damage the measuring stick.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If a motor-driven screwing tool is used to attach the interchangeable bushing, then productivity increases, but the measuring stick and its marking may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-productive time reductionVSAvoiddamage to measuring stick
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fastening tool into two distinct functional parts: a drive adapter that interfaces with the interchangeable bushing's external polygon, and a motor-driven screwing tool that provides rotational force. This segmentation allows the motor-driven tool to apply torque through the drive adapter without directly contacting the measuring stick, thus preventing damage while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drive adapter serves as an intermediary component between the motor-driven screwing tool and the interchangeable bushing. It transmits the rotational force from the motor tool to the bushing's external polygon while protecting the measuring stick from direct contact with the motor tool, thereby preventing damage to the measuring stick and its marking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the drive adapter blocks the viewing opening, then the motor-driven screwing can proceed, but the visibility of the pin marking is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor-driven operation efficiencyVSAvoidvisibility of pin marking
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the viewing opening in the drive adapter at a location that is radially offset from the path of the motor-driven screwing tool. This spatial arrangement in another dimension allows the operator to simultaneously observe the pin marking through the viewing opening while the motor tool operates, ensuring both visibility and operational efficiency without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Significantly reduces non-productive times in clamping processes by enabling efficient motor-driven operation while ensuring the thread engagement length is sufficient, preventing damage to measuring pins and allowing clear visibility of engagement status.

Implementation Method 1

a cylinder arranged in an extension of the support tube with at least one piston that can be moved in the longitudinal direction and can be connected to a hydraulic supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2708327B1Tensioning device for extending a threaded bolt, and tool suitable for this purpose, preferably drive adapter
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 HOHMANN JORG
  • EP2708327B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2708327B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~5

AI summary

A clamping device is proposed for stretching a threaded bolt by pulling on its threaded end section (A), comprising a support tube (2) surrounding the threaded end section (A), a cylinder (1) arranged in extension of the support tube (2) with at least one piston movable longitudinally therein and connectable to a hydraulic supply, an interchangeable bushing (10) axially movable by the piston, the bushing having an internal thread (11) at one end for screwing onto the threaded end section (A) and an external polygon (26) at the other end, and a tool detachably attachable to the external polygon (26) for rotating the interchangeable bushing (10). The invention aims to reduce the non-productive time associated with each clamping process.For this purpose, the tool (30) consists of a hat-shaped section (31) which is provided on its inside with tool surfaces (33) for rotary coupling with the external polygon (26), and a slimmer drive section (32) arranged in extension to the hat-shaped section (31).