Flange Centering Device with Segmented Slot and Locking Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
In steel construction, precise alignment and anchoring of bolts in flanges are challenging due to misalignment issues, leading to costly re-anchoring and rework in concrete floors, especially when bolts are not correctly aligned, causing centering problems and requiring extensive adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A centering device featuring a round disk with a peripheral collar and serrations, a cylindrical sleeve with a precise fit for the bolt, and a locking mechanism using tooth-like elevations to securely position and lock the bolt within a flange opening, allowing for lateral stability and adjustment of up to twice the bolt diameter, preventing lateral displacement and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the bolt diameter is made close to the opening diameter for precise alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but the bolt cannot accommodate misalignment deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is segmented into two functional zones: a central alignment zone with diameter slightly larger than the bolt for precise positioning, and a peripheral annular zone that can accommodate misalignment deviations. This segmentation allows the same opening structure to provide both precise alignment and tolerance to misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening structure is designed to be dynamically adaptable - during assembly, the bolt can be inserted through the larger opening diameter to accommodate misalignment, and then locked into a precise position using the tooth-like elevations that engage with corresponding features, transitioning from a tolerant state to a precise locked state.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the opening diameter is made larger than the bolt diameter to accommodate misalignment, then adaptability is improved, but lateral stability and precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tooth-like elevations act as intermediary elements between the bolt and the opening. These protrusions engage with corresponding recesses or features in the opening to provide lateral stabilization and prevent displacement, while allowing the overall opening structure to remain larger than the bolt for misalignment tolerance.
3Ease of operation
If conventional centering devices with elongated holes are used, then ease of operation is improved, but lateral guidance and stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The opening structure incorporates asymmetric features including tooth-like elevations with specific geometric shapes that provide directional guidance and lateral stabilization. These asymmetric features engage with corresponding asymmetric features on the bolt or flange to prevent lateral displacement while maintaining ease of assembly through the larger opening diameter.
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 precise and stable alignment and fixation of flanges with eccentrically arranged bolts, allowing for accurate assembly and reducing costly rework by compensating for deviations up to 3 cm, ensuring secure anchoring and alignment without lateral displacement.
Implementation Method 1
In order to improve the locking of the disk in the flange opening, that part of the disk which is arranged in the flange opening in the assembled state can advantageously be provided with serrations. In this way, a frictional connection is achieved in the fixed state, which further promotes the locking of the disc.
Data Source
Figure 1~13
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Figure 7~11
AI summary
Centring device (10) for mounting a flange (22), provided with an opening (20), with a pin (38) which passes through the opening (20) in the mounted state, having • a) a centring disk (12) having a disk part (16) and a collar (18) surrounding the disk part (16), the disk part (16) being received in the opening (20) in the mounted state and the collar (18) lying on the flange (22) • b) an elongate hole (24) in the disk part (16), wherein at the respective ends the elongate hole (24) has a semicircle (26, 28) having a radius R and a straight part (30) connecting the two semicircles (26, 28) and an overall length L1 • c) a centring sleeve (14) having a sleeve part (14) surrounded by a sleeve collar (42), the inner diameter D 3 of the sleeve part (40) corresponding to the diameter of the pin (30) and the outer diameter D 2 of the sleeve part (40) corresponding to the transverse diameter (2 R) of the elongate hole (24) and • d) a locking device (36) which fixes the centring sleeve (14) with respect to the centring disk (12) in a predetermined mounting position in a manner preventing displacement thereof.