Flexible Cage Fastener for Bolt Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices struggle to efficiently compensate for tolerances in the position and alignment of fastening bolts between the carrier part and the object being fastened, leading to potential misalignment and instability.
Innovation Solution
The device employs four curved, flexible connecting pieces arranged in pairs diagonally opposite each other, allowing the inner cage to move freely within the outer cage, enabling lateral displacement and twisting, thus effectively compensating for bolt position and alignment tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connection pieces are used to connect the inner cage to the outer cage, then structural stability is improved, but tolerance compensation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible connecting pieces with curved designs that can bend and deform elastically. These connecting pieces are made from flexible material that allows the inner cage to move relative to the outer cage, enabling tolerance compensation while maintaining structural integrity. The flexible nature of these connectors directly addresses the contradiction by providing both stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting pieces are designed to be dynamically flexible rather than statically rigid. They allow the inner cage to adjust its position and orientation relative to the outer cage through elastic deformation, enabling the structure to adapt to manufacturing tolerances while maintaining overall stability during operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the inner cage is rigidly fixed to the outer cage, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible connecting pieces enable the inner cage to be easily adjusted and positioned within the outer cage by allowing elastic deformation. This flexibility makes installation and alignment operations much easier while still achieving precise final positioning through the controlled flexibility of the connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic flexibility of the connecting pieces allows operators to easily manipulate the inner cage during assembly and installation, accommodating misalignments and making adjustments simple. Once assembled, the structure maintains precise alignment through the elastic constraints of the flexible connectors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple curved connecting pieces are used to allow free movement, then tolerance compensation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a limited number of flexible connecting pieces positioned at strategic locations on the inner cage. Each connector is a simple curved element that provides multi-axis flexibility. This approach achieves comprehensive tolerance compensation without requiring complex mechanisms, as the flexible connectors naturally accommodate movements in multiple directions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into multiple independent flexible connectors distributed around the inner cage. This segmentation allows each connector to handle local deformations independently while collectively providing comprehensive tolerance compensation for the entire structure, reducing the need for complex centralized mechanisms.
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 solution ensures efficient tolerance compensation, ensuring secure and stable fastening by allowing easy adjustment of the inner cage relative to the outer cage, thereby ensuring proper alignment and positioning of the fastening bolt.
Implementation Method 1
four curved, flexible connecting pieces 14, 15, 16, 17, with two connecting pieces 14, 15 being on the illustrated embodiment according to FIG. 1 front side and two connecting pieces 16, 17 on the basis of the illustration 1 rear side are arranged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for fastening at least one object to a supporting part provided with a fastening bolt comprises an engaging arrangement (13) that can brought into engagement with the fastening bolt. The engaging arrangement (13) is mounted on an inner cage (8) connected via a number of curved flexible connecting pieces (14, 15, 16, 17) to an outer cage (3) on which, in turn, at least one retaining arrangement (1, 2) for retaining the or every object is formed. This results in a good compensation of tolerances with regard to the position of the fastening bolt.