Flange Connection With Offset Leaf Guides for Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flange connections face challenges in maintaining a stable connection between components due to tolerance and position deviations, especially under temperature variations, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in force transmission, particularly when using materials with different expansion coefficients like steel and aluminum.
Innovation Solution
The proposed flange connection employs spatially offset blade guide elements, which are rigid in one direction and flexible in another, allowing for angle adjustment and accommodating assembly tolerances, and includes additional sets of blade guide elements for enhanced mobility and force distribution, preventing load concentration on a single structural cross-section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional flange connections are used to connect two components, then the connection can be established, but the load is concentrated on a single structural cross-section leading to high stress and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The flange connection is segmented into multiple spatially offset load-transmitting cross-sections instead of relying on a single cross-section. This segmentation distributes the load across multiple paths, reducing stress concentration at any single location while maintaining overall connection strength
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a planar flange connection to a three-dimensional arrangement with spatially offset load-transmitting cross-sections. By adding the spatial dimension, the load is distributed across multiple planes and locations, effectively reducing stress concentration while preserving connection integrity
2Reliability
If flange surfaces are machined to high precision to ensure full contact, then connection stability improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flange connection incorporates movable elements that can adapt dynamically to tolerance variations and thermal deformations. This dynamic capability ensures full contact and stable connection without requiring extremely precise machining, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for parameter changes in the form of positional adjustments and elastic deformations that compensate for manufacturing tolerances and thermal effects. This flexibility enables reliable connection with less stringent machining requirements, reducing overall manufacturing complexity
3Reliability
If movable elements are added to accommodate tolerance deviations, then connection reliability improves, but load-bearing capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The movable elements are distributed across multiple spatially offset load-transmitting cross-sections rather than concentrated at a single location. This segmentation allows each movable element to accommodate local tolerance deviations while the distributed arrangement maintains high overall load-bearing capacity through parallel load paths
4Adaptability or versatility
If a flat sheet metal plate is used for flange support, then translational and rotational adaptation is possible, but load concentration on a single cross-section occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the flat sheet metal plate concept into three dimensions by creating spatially offset load-transmitting cross-sections. This dimensional extension maintains the adaptability for angular adjustment while distributing the load across multiple spatial locations, eliminating the load concentration problem of the single-plane approach
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
This design ensures a stable and efficient force transmission while allowing for angle adjustment and translational mobility, effectively addressing the issues of tolerance deviations and thermal expansions, thereby enhancing the reliability and resilience of the connection.
Implementation Method 1
the inherent elasticity of the components of the flange connection, or of the components connected by the flange connection
Implementation Method 2
temperature differences existing during operation of the machine components connected via the flange connection, especially when using materials with significantly different coefficients of expansion
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the invention, a flange connection (100) is provided by means of which a first component (1) is fixed to a second component (2). The flange connection (100) comprises a flange (90), by means of which the flange connection (100) together with the first component (1) connected to the flange connection (100) is fixed to the second component (2), in particular the flange is riveted or screwed to the second component. According to the invention, the flange connection (100) has an assembly of at least two first guide leaf elements (91-1, 91-2), which are spatially offset relative to each other, in at least one first load-transferring cross-section, each said element extending spatially at least partly on a respective plane in a nominal position and being used to connect the first component (1) to the flange (90).