Expandable Collar Structure for Automated Assembly of Variable Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices face challenges in covering or shielding articles with a wider distal end and narrower region, particularly when using automated assembly equipment, as they struggle to slide over the wider end effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, rigid yet expandable and automatically retractable collar with accordion regions and guide pins/slots, allowing for radial deformation and conformal attachment to components with varying diameters, enabling secure coupling and decoupling of shafts or syringe systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid collar is used to couple components, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the ability to accommodate varying diameters and enable automated assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collar transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with accordion regions that can radially deform. This allows the collar to automatically adjust its inner diameter to accommodate components of varying sizes during automated assembly, while maintaining structural strength through the rigid body material and guide pin constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar's inner diameter parameter is made variable through the accordion region mechanism. By changing the radial deformation state of the accordion region, the collar can adapt its internal dimensions to match different component diameters, enabling automated assembly without manual adjustment while preserving structural integrity.
2Strength
If the collar is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength and stability are improved, but the ability to radially deform for assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is segmented into distinct functional regions: rigid body portions that maintain structural integrity and an accordion region that provides radial deformation capability. This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to have contrasting properties - rigidity where needed for strength and flexibility where needed for adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the collar have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The rigid body regions provide structural strength and stability, while the accordion region provides radial deformability. The guide pins provide localized constraint to control the deformation behavior. Each region's quality is optimized for its specific role.
3Productivity
If automated assembly equipment is used to slide the collar over components, then productivity is improved, but the difficulty of assembling components with varying diameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar's accordion region automatically adjusts its radial dimensions in response to the diameter of the component being assembled. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex programming to accommodate different component sizes, enabling automated assembly equipment to efficiently assemble components with varying diameters.
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
Enables seamless assembly and disassembly of components with varying diameters, reducing manufacturing difficulties and improving the efficiency of automated assembly processes by providing a conformal fit without preassembly requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible collar includes at least one accordion region having a plurality of pivots, at least two of the pivots being radially spaced apart from the longitudinal axis at different distances, and the accordion region being configured to radially deform.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible collar including a rigid body having a cylindrical outer surface and a cylindrical inner surface concentrically aligned with respect to a common longitudinal axis, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the inner surface defining a bore from the top surface to the bottom surface, and each of the top and bottom surfaces having an endless pathway confined to a respective plane and circumscribing a respective edge of the inner surface. The flexible collar further includes at least one accordion region having a plurality of pivots, at least two of the pivots being radially spaced apart from the longitudinal axis at different distances, and the accordion region being configured to radially deform.